ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Finding a diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behavior.
Signs and symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. These symptoms can cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These drugs improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to minimize the risk of the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, or interrupting other people.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with blog , your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for problems with attention and impulsivity. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important part of an evaluation is a patient interview.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak.
The following is a list of preventatives.
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep a job. They also have to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation includes the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. This involves a medical history review along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have a good understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.